Hey everyone. Today we're going to trim a cozy lap quilt with a little zigzag that does a whole lot of work.
Here we go.
Meet the trim
This is #41 Ric Rac in black, from High Country Quilts.
It is a classic ric rac trim.
That means a neat, even zigzag.
It measures 5/8 inch wide.
That is .625 inch, for y'all who like the decimal.
It is polyester, and it is sold by the yard.
The color is a true, go-with-everything black.
The product listing also calls it 45 inch wide fabric per yard, so check your yardage plan as you order.
For this project, we are using it the way its description suggests.
As a finishing trim.
For edges.
For embellishment.
And for a little vintage charm.
Ric rac is perfect for garment hems, aprons, and pillowcases, too.
But today, it is going on a quilt border.
Just like that, a plain border gets a heartbeat.
Why it suits a lap quilt
A lap quilt lives hard, y'all.
It gets draped over knees.
It gets folded over a chair.
It gets washed, shared, and loved on.
A flat border can look a little unfinished.
Ric rac fixes that in one pass.
The black zigzag frames your center fabrics.
It adds movement without adding bulk.
And because it is 5/8 inch wide, you can actually see it.
It does not disappear into the seam.
I love that.
It is a small detail.
But it is really really effective.
Materials list
- Your lap quilt top, finished to about 40 x 50 inches
- #41 Ric Rac Black — plan on 6 yards for the outer border, plus a little extra for corners and practice
- Backing fabric, batting, and binding to finish your quilt size
- Matching black thread, plus a thread that matches your border
- A size 80/12 needle for general piecing and quilting
- Pins or clips, a ruler, and a marking pencil
- Your sewing machine, set to a straight stitch at about 8 to 10 stitches per inch for attaching trim
Those amounts are general craft planning, folks.
Measure your own quilt before you order.
Perimeter math is simple.
Two long sides plus two short sides, plus 12 extra inches.
That gives you breathing room.
Brief steps
Step 1: Finish and press your lap quilt top.
Lay it flat.
Measure each border edge and write it down.
Step 2: Pin the ric rac along the border.
Center the zigzag where you want it to sit.
I like it just inside the outer edge of the border.
Take your time at the corners.
Fold a soft miter, or curve it gently.
Completely up to you.
Step 3: Stitch it down.
Sew right down the center of the ric rac.
Go slow.
Slow down or you can drift off that center line.
If you drift, no panic.
Just lift, reposition, and keep going.
I have drifted plenty.
We fix it and move on.
Step 4: Layer, quilt, and bind as usual.
Try a little stitch in the ditch along the border seam.
Or add a simple meander in the center.
Keep the quilting clear of the ric rac so the zigzag stays puffy and proud.
Step 5: Bind, press lightly, and step back.
Oh my goodness.
That black edge just pops.
Practical tips
Test on a scrap first.
Always.
Check your stitch length and your tension on that scrap.
Pin every 2 to 3 inches on curves.
Ric rac wants to travel a little.
Pins keep it honest.
Do not stretch it as you sew.
Let the machine feed it.
And here is your permission beat, friends.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
Nobody is measuring every zig and zag.
Take your time.
It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Super duper easy, and super duper cute on a finished quilt.
We are not reinventing the wheel here.
We are just giving a good lap quilt a finished, vintage-trimmed edge.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the #41 Ric Rac Black 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
